Walther Arms Locates in Fort Smith, Umarex USA Expands Operations

An iconic firearms manufacturer said late last month it will establish its U.S. headquarters in Fort Smith, while another gun maker will expand its current manufacturing operations there.

Walther Arms Inc. will move to the Chaffee Crossing development on the east side of town, and share a campus with Umarex USA.

Combined, the companies plan to invest more than $7 million toward expanding the facility and operations over the next five years. The expanded facility will serve as corporate headquarters for the two companies, both owned by German-based PW Group.

The expansion should create between 70 and 120 jobs over the next five years.

In June of this year, Carl Walther GmbH announced the formation of Walther Arms Inc. and the appointment of Adam Blalock as chief executive officer. Walther’s location in the United States had not been determined at the time of the announcement, but the Fort Smith Regional Chamber, Chaffee Redevelopment Authority, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and Gov. Mike Beebe’s office all lobbied to land the company in Fort Smith.

Walther, in its 126th year, makes and markets firearms of calibers ranging from .22 to .40. Umarex has manufactured and marketed airguns, paintball products, airsoft guns and blank-firing pistols for 40 years.